Apple released the fourth developer beta of watchOS 27 on Monday, two weeks after the third beta went out, moving the software closer to a public release this fall.
The update brings a version of Siri that can hold back-and-forth conversations and pull from both general knowledge and personal data stored on your phone.
That capability requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, since it depends on Apple Intelligence running on the paired device. Apple Watch handles the request, but the heavy lifting happens on the iPhone.
Workout Buddy Works Without Your Phone Now
One of the more practical changes in watchOS 27 is that Workout Buddy no longer requires an iPhone to be nearby.
The feature tracks your sessions and surfaces metrics such as progressive increases in distance, pace, and duration, and it now does so independently.
For anyone who runs or cycles without carrying their phone, that removes a real limitation from earlier versions of the software.
Find My Consolidates Into One App
Apple has replaced the separate Find Devices, Find People, and Find Items apps with a single Find My app that supports Precision Finding.
That means locating a misplaced item or tracking down a family member’s location now happens in one place on your wrist instead of three. Walkie-Talkie, which had its own dedicated app, has been removed entirely from the platform.
What the Home Screen Looks Like Now
The app grid now adjusts dynamically based on what Siri predicts you will need, surfacing apps before you go looking for them.
Smart Stack has also been updated with more context-aware suggestions. However, early testers and developers using the pre-release software are frustrated.
They feel these automatic suggestions force their way onto the screen too easily, and there is no simple power switch (toggle) to turn the feature off completely. Apple hasn’t said if they will fix this before launching the software to the public.
The Liquid Glass interface layer that Apple introduced earlier this cycle has been refined in this beta, with legibility improvements across watch faces and system UI.
Battery life optimizations are also included, though it is too early in the beta cycle for users to quantify any real-world gains.
The Smart Stack now surfaces pinned messages, parked car location, noise alerts, and transit and identity cards directly from the watch face. Those additions reduce how often a user needs to pull out their iPhone for quick information during the day.
The beta is available to developers through the Watch app on iPhone using a free developer account.
Installation requires the Apple Watch to be on its charger, connected to Wi-Fi, and at 50 percent or higher battery.
